TomdaToolman

How many of you use a pressure washer to wash your Vette?
I need to buy & use one for other purposes around the home, shop and property, but with the pressure cranked down it's perfectly safe to use on our prized cars isn't it? What soap do you use/recommend? Is there an additive to reduce/eliminate water spotting?
Thanks!

Jstan2014

I’ve never used a pressure washer on a car. I’m guessing if there’s a nozzle specifically designed for car washing it could be safe, but all of my nozzles seem like they’d be way too strong for car washing. I clean concrete, stone, siding, and fences with ours, but not cars.

SK '08

I have a Ryobi Electric pressure washer. It has 2000 psi max. I like it. As far as nozzles go, there are different types that come with that deliver different pressures. I only use the max nozzle close up for wheel wells/ tires & stand further back when rinsing.

I use a soap detergent that is safe for cars & the p.w. itself. Drying it, I drive it into the garage, out of the sun to avoid waterspots and wiping it down quickly. I plan to get an air compressor to cut down on time it takes to wipe/ dry the car.

TomdaToolman

I was at the local car wash the other day, first time since buying my Vette, and appreciated the water pressure and spray pattern that it put out. Especially liked the way it cleaned the wheels, very nice! Looking for a better way than the old garden hose, wash mitt and bucket of car soap and water!

By the way, was at Home Depot and saw a beautiful Makita 36 volt, w/ dual 18 volt batteries, compact leaf blower/Vette dryer! I want one!

gliot1

I have been using a pressure washer on my cars ever since I have been driving.....about 45 years. I have never had a problem with any of them, commercial, electric, or consumer gas models. Like any tool, you need to read and understand its use. I have never damaged paint, or any plastic part. I wash the entire car, even the engine compartment.......the only thing you have to fear is fear itself.

ONEBADZ

Icecap

Don't do it! I have had a Karcher Honda powered 3,000 PSI pressure washer for a couple of years. Last year I had a brain fart and used it in an attempt to clean the barrels of my wheels that were filthy and had never been done in 10 years and as well as being dirty had the adhesive tape residue from several previous wheel balances. I damaged several of the wheels that will now need to be refinished. If there is a small barely noticeable chip in the paint the high pressure water will get under the paint and lift it off the surface. I have several dime and quarter sized bare spots that it tried to touch up but they are still very visible. Next year I will have them professionally refinished. Only hand washing for me from now on.

pdac

Anyone use a leaf blower to dry their cars? Seems like it would be easy to blow debri and dirt onto the car.

HBsurfer

I bought this from Chemical Guys for about $30.00. Much easier to handle that a full sized garden leaf blower.

FasNuff

If your car has been treated with XPEl or any of the other protective materials, Power washing is not recommended. I also use a Metro Masterblaster for drying, totally touch free.

itomh

I totally agree with you, if there is any imperfections in the paint, paint chips, hood stripes, emblems, and weather-strip, your pressure washer will be sure to find and expose them. All is well until water gets in the corner of a rock chip and blows a 2"X2" section of paint right off if you are not careful. I'll stick with decent water hose and elbow grease, don't think my Z06 ever got dirty enough for me to consider needing extra water pressure to cut 5 minutes off a wash job. It's kind of weird hearing this after reading so many post about Corvette owners not driving in the rain but, 1500 to 2300 PSI of water pressure is ok? IMO

TomdaToolman

I'm gonna talk to the local car wash owner to find out how many psi the various settings use.

Vet Interested

I am afraid to use a power washer on the car but that is just me. I did buy an electric Toro leaf blower specifically for the car(s). Works great. Especially on the wheels. Wish I had purchased it sooner.

Welker1

I never use a power washer or leaf blower. Do it all by hand using high quality cloths & towels.

Pete2k_Z28

R&L's C6

Same here, wouldn't think twice about using one on any vehicle I have. Thirty plus years using them on just about everything I own and never a problem.

EviLS7

I got a pressure washer from Lowes and the foam cannon from amazon. The pressure washer has different nozzles and I use it all the time with no issues.

mikeCsix

At my Arizona home, I had a water softener installed in the house and off the water softener I had a hose bib attached for washing the car. The water in Arizona is considered very hard. It does work, though the water spots left behind are salt based instead of calcium/magnesium carbonates based.

Jstan2014

Having read over this thread, and now seeing this, I think I’ll get a foam cannon!

I just have one question. Can the same soaps that we use in our wash buckets be used in the foam cannons?

airmed2

If you use a power washer, be sure to keep the nozzle a good distance from the car. It's easy to get focused on hard to remove spots while inching closer and closer to the vehicle. Once you let off the trigger, the forward force you were using will be released due to the drop in pressure and it's possible to push the nozzle right into the car. Not that I know personally...